Billy Smith is searching for muscle up front to lead Crawley's Premier Division assault next season.

Reds finished 11th after their 2-1 defeat against Newport County, when victory would have seen them complete their best-ever season with a final position of fourth.

Although Crawley have had little trouble scoring this season, Smith wants to see his forward players defend better from the front.

Smith said: "The ball doesn't stick up there as well as it should. Mark Hynes has scored 20-odd goals this season and Dean Wordsworth was not far behind, but being a striker is not just about scoring goals.

"We have given away goals from being put under pressure by mistakes made by our front players."

Smith is unlikely to axe Hynes or Wordsworth.

Francis Vines is expected to be released, joining Dave Powell out the door.

Vines was a favourite with the fans and built up a reputation as a supersub.

Smith said: "Francis has not let us down. He wants to move into the coaching side of things and if he wanted there would always be a place for him behind the scenes with me.

"He's a lad everyone looks up to but we have to cut the squad before bringing new faces in."